Therapeutic accessory for beds



July 27, 1965 A. c. M WILLIAMS 3,196,463

THERAPEUTIC ACCESSORY FOR BEDS Filed July 23, 1963 .Quonongoov Fl 5 INVENTOR.

ARTHUR C. MEWILLIAMS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,196,468 THERAPEUTIC ACCESSORY FOR BEDS Arthur C. McWilliams, 333 Barton, Evanston, Ill. Filed July 23, 1963, Ser. No. 297,030 1 Claim. (Cl. 319) This invention relates generally to a therapeutic accessory for hospital beds or the like, and has particular reference to a structure for maintaining the bed covers out of contact with the lower extremities of the patient, while at the same time the said extremities may be treated therapeutically.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a therapeutic accessory for hospital beds or the like, said accessory being characterized by structure for maintaining the bed covers out of contact with the lower extremities of the patient, while at the same time enabling certain therapeutic treatment to be had for the patient, such as lights or the like.

Another object is to provide in such an accessory structure for maintaining the bed covers out of contact with the lower extremities of the patient, yet at the same time affording structure whereby the lower end of the mattress may be elevated a slight amount for certain therapeutic effects.

Another object is to provide in an accessory of the class described, a canopy for maintaining the covers out of contact with the extremities of the patient, the canopy being adapted to be provided with lights or other means for providing therapy for the patient.

Other objects and important features of the invention will be apparent from a study of the following specification taken with the drawings, which together describe and illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and what is now considered to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claim.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a therapeutic accessory constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a view looking in the direction of the arrows 44 of FIG. 3, showing details of a canopy forming part of the accessory according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view showing the accessory in position for use with a hospital bed or the like; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the device in a position whereby the lower end of the mattress of the bed may be elevated.

Referring now to the drawing, the therapeutic accessory according to the present invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10, and includes a pair of'laterally spaced foot-like members 11 adapted to extend between the mattress 12 and a box spring 13 of a bed indicated generally by the reference numeral 14. The two foot-like members 11 are each extended upward to provide spaced leg portions 16. A first vertical support member 17 extends between the two leg members 16, and the vertical support member 17 has a foot-like extension 18.

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An adjustable support member 19 is adapted to be adjusted with respect to the fixed vertical support member 17, and with respect to the vertical legs 16 by means of adjusting bolts 21 which extend through aligned apertures 22 located in the leg portions 16, the fixed member 17 and the adjustable portions 19.

The upper extremities of the adjustable portion 19 provide a support for a canopy indicated generally by the reference numeral 23, and adapted to overlie the mattress 12. The canopy 23 has substantially downward extending side members 24, and the canopy 23 when in a position of adjustment supports a bed cover BC in spaced position above the mattress 12, see FIG. 5.

The canopy 23 contains a plurality of therapeutic lamps 26, which are adapted to provide the proper therapeutic treatment for the lower extremities of the bed patient. The lamps 26 may be controlled conveniently by the bed occupant, or by the nurse from any convenient control station, not shown.

Structure is provided for elevating the lower end of the mattress 12, as seen particularly in FIG. 6, and to this end the adjustable portion 19 is provided with a bracket 27 which is adjustably positioned on the portion 19 by means of the screws 28 to raise one end of the mattress 12. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 particularly, the bracket 27 for the lower end of the mattress 12 is essentially V-shaped in cross section, and has upper and lower limbs 29 terminating in feet 31 held to the adjustable portion 19 by the aforementioned securing screws 28.

It will be seen from the description foregoing, that there has been provided some new and useful improvemerits in the art of therapeutic accessories for hospital beds or the like. The accessory disclosed in the present application provides structure for maintaining the bed covers in spaced relationship to the lower extremities of the hospital patient, thereby reducing physical strain on the patient. At the same time the structure for supporting the bed covers in spaced position above the extremities of the patient provides for a treatment of the patients extremities by therapeutic lamps or the like. In those cases where it is desirable to have the patients extremities maintained in an elevated position, the accessory according to the present invention may be suitably adjusted for such purpose.

While the invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment thereof, its scope is not intended to be limited by the claim here appended, nor otherwise than by the appended claim.

I claim:

A therapeutic accessory for maintaining the covers of a bed out of contact with the lower extremities of a patient, said accessory comprising a pair of laterally spaced elements extending substantially horizontally between a bed mattress and a support means for a bed mattress, said laterally spaced elements being coterminous with vertical extensions therefrom adapted to be in juxtaposition to the end of a bed mattress, a vertical member supported by said vertical extensions including a canopy extending from said vertical member into a position over a bed mattress and spaced therefrom for supporting said bed covers, means for adjusting the position of said canopy and said vertical member with respect to said vertical extensions, and structure adapted to be adjusted in position with respect to said vertical member and extending beneath a mattress a distance which is greatly less than the length of said l'aterally-spaeed elements for maintaining 1 2,674,750 4/54 Moore 5-319 the end of a mattress in a raised opsition at the same 7 2,695,413 11/54 Termaat 5319 time alfording engagement of said laterally spaced ele- 3,005,212 7 10/61 Barnhill 5-317 X ments between a mattress and a support means therefor.

' FOREIGN PATENTS s73,742;12/45 Great'Britain.

References Cited by the-Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS V I v V V r 2,437,016 3/48 Chri t n 5 3"19 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

